Not that it is some huge issue, but I dunno, I think some people here are underestimating Rondo's popularity with the fans, both in Boston and in the NBA in general. For example, Rondo is #13 in jersey sales in a year where he didn't play hardly at all due to his knee injury. Love's jersey sales aren't in the top 15.
Rondo has been to 4 all star games, to Love's 3. I mean everyone always says that the all star voting is just a glorified popularity contest right?
I don't think it the obvious answer to say that Love's popularity would overnight eclipse Rondo's. C's fans have a lot of Rondo memories. They remember the championship season as he was coming into his own, they remember 2009 when RR almost averaged a triple double in the playoffs, they remember Rondo coming back from the dislocated elbow, being one of the leaders in the 2012 push against miami.